SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State men's basketball team earned a 72-68 win against the Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers on Saturday, Feb. 20 in the Bud Cooper Gymnasium in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) game.
First Half
At the end of the first half, the Lakers held an 11 point lead over the Rangers, 36-25.
Parkside would make a three point jumper in the first seconds of play to take the game's first lead (3-0) but in the next three minutes, the Lakers would tie the game at five when Kemon Bassett scored his second layup of the game.
By the halfway point of the first half, the Lakers and Rangers were tied at 17 points each, as senior guard Brandon Allen scored on a jump shot to even the score. Allen would score on a shot from beyond the arc with 8:20 left on the clock after a steal by C.J. Robinson started the play.
With just over seven minutes left in the first half, Justin Fischer would net the Lakers second three pointer of the game to bring the Lakers lead to four points (25-21). Bassett's layup in the next minute would build the Lakers lead to six points.
Malek Adams would score on a shot from past the three point line with 1:29 left in the opening half to put the Lakers up by nine points and Justin Fischer would cap off the first half scoring with a layup to give the Lakers a double-digit advantage after the first twenty minutes of play (36-25).
Second Half
David Wren made a three pointer early in the second half to bring the Lakers lead to 42-28 with 18:39 left in the game and the Lakers would hold onto the double-digit lead through the first eight minutes of the half. Dan Few made a layup with 11:54 left on the clock to give the Lakers a 51-39 lead over the Rangers.
After Adams made consecutive three pointers to bring the Lakers lead up to 61-48 with 7:18 left in the game, Parkside would begin a rally in the final minutes. Freshman Josiah Palmer would make a three pointer with 4:21 left on the clock to bring the Rangers within six points (65-59) but C.J. Robinson would answer with a three pointer to regain a nine point Laker lead.
With 1:10 left on the clock, the Rangers were within two points of the Lakers but Adams would score a layup and make two free throws to secure the 72-68 win.
Breaking Down the Game
Four Lakers finished the game with double-digit point totals with Justin Fischer leading the way with a season-high 18 points in the game. Fischer, who went 7-for-8 in the game, would lead the Lakers with seven assists and also added two rebounds. Malek Adams finished the game with 15 points in 36 minutes on the floor and a team-leading three three pointers. Adams also ranked second on the Lakers with five rebounds.
Bassett finished the game with his 14th double-figure point total of the season as he scored 13 points for the Lakers while also leading the way with eight rebounds. David Wren rounded out the top four scorers for LSSU as he added 12 points in the win.
The Lakers finished the game with a 52.7 shooting percentage, going 29-for-55 in the game. On the other end of the floor, the Rangers went 26-for-53 in the game to total a 49.1 shooting percentage. Lake Superior State was outrebounded by Parkside, 24-20, in the game.
What's Next
The Lakers and Rangers will wrap up the regulat season next weekend against the Ashland University Eagles with a road series. The GLIAC contests will be played on Friday, Feb. 26 and Saturday, Feb. 27 in the Kates Gymnasium in Ashland Ohio. Both games are set for a 4:00 p.m. tipoff.
Follow the Lakers
Due to State of Michigan, GLIAC and Lake Superior State University mandates, fans are not currently permitted to attend any Laker sporting events. Even though spectators cannot currently attend Laker home games, there are still a number of ways that fans will be able to follow the game action. All Laker home games during the 2021 season will be available to watch live on Stretch TV. For more information or to sign up for a subscription, visit https://portal.stretchinternet.com/lssu/. Fans can also tune in to the radio broadcast on ESPN 1400, the official radio station of Laker basketball.
For more information, visit lssulakers.com
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